Press Release

NEW YORK, May 25, 2012 – Tokyo 2020, a Bid Committee for Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games, confirmed Weber Shandwick as its global public relations agency to support its overall communications strategy. The firm recently supported the Applicant City phase handling strategy and PR during that time.

The Tokyo 2020 international communications campaign fully adheres to and respects the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules and processes on the use of international communications for the Bid Committees. The IOC yesterday announced that Tokyo 2020 has made its shortlist.

Weber Shandwick’s appointment reaffirms the confidence Japan Olympic Bid Committee has always had in the agency, previously working together with Weber Shandwick on the Tokyo 2016 Olympic Bid campaign. Tokyo is coming back on stage with improved plans, fully integrated with the city and its people, making sure the lessons of the past are applied and confident in the strength of the new bid.

Tokyo 2020 President Tsunekazu Takeda said: “I am delighted to welcome Weber Shandwick on board to deliver a strong campaign and bring the Games to Tokyo. The agency’s broad international perspective and deep understanding of our strong desire to host the Games will serve us well in our bidding journey.

Weber Shandwick and the Tokyo team are no strangers to one other, as our collaborative effort began with and continues to grow from Tokyo’s previous bid. As close partners, we will work to tell the story of our plan and deliver a legacy of long-term benefits for Tokyo, Japan and international sport.”

Jack Leslie, Chairman of Weber Shandwick, said “We are honored to be engaged to support a second Tokyo Olympic Bid in the 21st century. We put forward the strongest global team and a winning communications campaign to help Tokyo 2020 bring the Olympics to the city that would be the best host for this event.”

Weber Shandwick was a driving communications force in Sochi’s successful bid when the International Olympic Committee chose the city of Sochi, Russia, as the host city for the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in a close race against South Korea’s PyeongChang and Austria’s Salzburg. Weber Shandwick was responsible in leading the 16-month global public relations campaign for Sochi’s Bid to demonstrate the city’s and country’s ability to stage great Games.

Weber Shandwick also has an important track record in other major event bidding campaigning, including World Expos, having most recently supported the successful bids for Shanghai Expo 2010 and Milan Expo 2015 and now advocating for Ekaterinburg’s (Russia) Bid for World Expo 2020. The agency also successfully supported the Shanghai Expo Bureau following the win.